Better late than never... cont.

>Begin Quote<
Sept 17, 2001 - By Anonymous
We like our lawn decorations very much and do not like your negative attitude about the community. In the future we would appreciate you keeping your opinions to yourself.... Next thing you know you'll be complaining about people flying their flags.
>End Quote<

I'm pretty sure I can guess who this anonymous poster is and while I disagree with some other views you've stated in the past, I absolutely agree that you've got every right to keep those lawn ornaments. Would I have put the same kinds of ornaments in my yard? No. Does that make you wrong? No. Everyone's going to have an opinion on what looks best for their property.
The only real disagreement I have with your post (other than posting anonymously) is your desire that the first anonymous poster keep their opinions to themselves. Personally, I'd rather know what they think. I may not agree with them, but at least they know where I stand and I know where they stand. That's only only viable starting place in order to resolve differences of opinion.
Now on to the last post...

Better late than never... cont.

>Begin Quote<
Sept 20, 2001 - By Anonymous
unfortunately we do not an association to police homeowners poor taste. We have to rely on our neighbors to exercise good judgement. Obviously this process does not always work to the benefit of us all.
>End Quote<

This is wrong on so many levels it's difficult to find a starting point. First, another cowardly anonymous post. Are you the same anonymous poster that made the first comment just trying to make it seem like someone else shares your opinion? How are we to know if you won't put your name with your words?
Secondly, this post is probably the best argument I've seen yet AGAINST having a neighborhood association.

***unfortunately we do not an association to police homeowners poor taste***

I wish I could underline, boldface and italicize that statement. I've been against an association from the beginning, not because I think it's a bad idea in and of itself, but because I don't want someone else deciding what's ''in good taste'' with regard to MY property. I own it, I accepted the deed restrictions that came with owning it. I don't need some egotistical moron convincing a majority of the neighborhood that what I'm doing, or not doing, is wrong. If I want to do some landscaping design that I've seen in other neighborhoods, I don't want someone else telling me ''it doesn't fit'' with our ''neighborhood plan''. Fortunately, after some research, my wife and I have determined that any homeowners association created at this point would have no authority to dictate restrictions on my property if I don't agree to join the association. What a relief!

***Obviously this process does not always work to the benefit of us all.***

I think it would be more accurate to say ''This process does not work to the benefit of those who think they have the right to tell others what to do''. If you don't like living in Shadow Creek, move. That's your right. It's my right to do whatever I want with my property so long as I don't 1>violate the law, and 2> violate the deed restrictions. I think my judgment, while not expert by any means, is just fine. Yours, however, I openly question.

To those who didn't want to see more vitrol spilled in these forums, I do apologize. Sometimes it's necessary to make these statements, even if they're 6 months too late ;)

Dave